Jan. 19: Edgar Allan Poe, American writer

BORN JANUARY 19:

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) American poet and short story writer and--it was perhaps-unfairly alleged--dope fiend. Notable short stories (he wrote nearly 70) include "The Cask of Amontillado"; "The Fall of the House of Usher"; "The Masque of the Red Death"; "The Pit and the Pendulum"; The Tell-Tale Heart"; and two stories featuring a detective, which Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Homes) called the "root from which a whole literature has developed": "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" and "The Purloined Letter." Despite the quality of his poems like "Annabel Lee"; "Eldorado"; and "To Helen," all are outstripped in fame by The Raven.

---

Navigation:

• View this post on Facebook or Instagram
• Go to the Calendar Index
• See all January births
• See all calendar entries